Timing and decisions

[BabyScientist]

Backstory: My significant other is in a career field that is geographically limited, so I'm trying to keep him in mind when making my decision.

One of the programs wants to nominate me for a fellowship, and I have to write a short essay due tomorrow for them to do so. I loved the program and the interview experience, but it's in an area that doesn't work for my partner's career path. I plan on decline the offer, but I wanted to wait until I heard back from my top choice school before doing so. But it also feels like if I might accept the offer I have to write the essay for the fellowship. Should I write and submit it even if I will most likely decline the offer?

[eevee]

I feel like there's no harm in writing the essay for the fellowship, and as you said it's just a short essay. If you happen to get into [top choice] AND get the fellowship, you can always decline the fellowship offer, but if you happen to not get into [top choice], then you don't want to be left regretting not applying for the fellowship. 

[rising_star]

If you know there's no way you'll accept the offer, you might as well decline it now. Whether or not you get into your top choice isn't actually going to change the fact that the location of this program isn't one that works for you.

[TakeruK]

Seconding rising_star: why wait until you hear back from your top choice? The only reason to not decline is that this is your personal #2 choice school and you think your partner will move to this area for you if you don't get into your top choice.